Georgia in the Eurovision Song Contest

Georgia

Georgia (country)

Member station Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB)
National selection events
Appearances
Appearances 9 (7 finals)
First appearance 2007
Best result 9th: 2010, 2011
Worst result Last: 2014 SF
External links
GPB page
Georgia's page at Eurovision.tv
For the most recent participation see
Georgia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2016

Georgia has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest nine times, debuting at the Eurovision Song Contest 2007. Although Georgia did plan to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009, it decided to withdraw after the European Broadcasting Union demanded it re-write its song which made reference to the Russian prime minister, Vladimir Putin.

History

2007 debut

On 27 October 2006, Georgia, confirmed that they wished to debut at the Eurovision Song Contest 2007.[1] At that time, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) still limited the contest to a maximum of 40 countries, however, in March 2007, it was announced that all 42 applicants would participate in the 2007 Contest in Helsinki. At the contest, Georgia managed to progress from the semi-final (where it scored 123 points, finishing 8th), but only came 12th (out of 24) in the final.

2008

Georgia appeared for its second time in the contest for 2008, represented by Diana Gurtskaya with the song "Peace Will Come". It had slightly better luck than in 2007, progressing from the semi-final (where it scored 107 points, finishing 5th) and coming in 11th (out of 25) in the final.

2009 withdrawal

Due to the 2008 South Ossetia war, it had been debated by Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB) whether Georgia would be present at the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 in Moscow.[2] GPB chairman stated that it would not be unreasonable to withdraw, but that they were under a time restraint since a national selection event would have to be organised if they chose to participate.[3] On 28 August 2008, GBP announced that Georgia would withdraw from the 2009 contest, citing that they refuse to compete in a "country that violates human rights and international laws", as well as doubts being cast on the safety of their participants.[4][5][6] After winning the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2008, and getting the maximum 12 points from Russia they were encouraged to participate again in 2009.[7][8]

After a national final was held on 18 February 2009 the selected entry for Georgia was decided to be Stefane & 3G with their 70s-inspired song "We Don't Wanna Put In".[9][10][11] However the song gained controversy due to the lyrics of the song, which included perceived political references to Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, which GPB denied.[12][13] Nevertheless, the EBU banned the song from competing due to its lyrics, and asked GPB to either change the lyrics of the song or select another song to compete.[14][15] GPB claimed that the EBU's rejection of the song was due to political pressure exerted by Russia, and withdrew again from the contest on 11 March.[16]

2010 return

Georgia returned to the Contest in 2010, after a one-year gap, and was represented by 23-year-old singer Sopho Nizharadze.[17][18] Sopho sang the song "Shine" at the Contest, written by Hanne Sørvaag, Harry Sommerdahl and Christian Leuzzi.[19][20] Georgia competed in the second semi-final of the contest on 27 May, performing in the 16th slot, and qualified for the final. Georgia came 9th in the final, with 136 points, achieving their best place so far.

2011

In 2011, Georgia sent the rock band Eldrine to the contest in Düsseldorf, Germany. They managed to equal Sopho Nizharadze's 9th place of the year before.

2012

In 2012, Georgia sent Anri Jokhadze to the contest in Baku, Azerbaijan with the song "I'm a Joker", Anri was the first male entrant ever to represent Georgia at Eurovision. On 24 May 2012, he became the first Georgian representative to fail to reach the Eurovision Song Contest final.

2013

In 2013, Georgia selected its entry internally. Sopho Gelovani & Nodiko Tatishvili was the first duo to represent Georgia in Eurovision. The song was produced by 2012's winning composer Thomas G:Son. In the second semi-final Georgia qualified in 10th, and in the final Georgia came in 15th place with 50 points.

2014

In 2014, Georgia selected jazz fusion band The Shin alongside vocalist Mariko Ebralidze to the contest in Copenhagen, Denmark. Their song, Three Minutes to Earth, was panned by critics and placed last in the second semi-final. This is the worst Georgian result to date.

2015

In 2015, Georgia held a national final for the first time since 2012. Nina Sublatti and her song "Warrior" were chosen to represent Georgia in the contest. It qualified from the first semi-final. Nina Sublatti eventually reached an 11th place in the grand final.

2016

On December 15, 2015, Georgia internally selected Nika Kocharov & Young Georgian Lolitaz to represent Georgia in the 2016 contest They finished 9th in semi-final and 20th in the grand final.

Contestants

Table key
  Winner
  Second place
  Third place
  Last place
Year Artist Language Title Final Points Semi Points
2007 Sopho Khalvashi English "Visionary Dream" 12 97 8 123
2008 Diana Gurtskaya English "Peace Will Come" 11 83 5 107
2009a Stephane & 3G English "We Don't Wanna Put In" Withdrawn
2010 Sopho Nizharadze English "Shine" 9 136 3 106
2011 Eldrine English "One More Day" 9 110 6 74
2012 Anri Jokhadze English, Georgian "I'm a Joker" Failed to qualify 14 36
2013 Sopho Gelovani & Nodiko Tatishvili English "Waterfall" 15 50 10 63
2014 The Shin & Mariko English "Three Minutes to Earth" Failed to qualify 15 15
2015 Nina Sublatti English "Warrior" 11 51 4 98
2016 Nika Kocharov & Young Georgian Lolitaz English "Midnight Gold" 20 104 9 123
2017
NOTES:
a. ^ Georgia intended to send "We Don't Wanna Put In" by Stefane & 3G, but later withdrew after the EBU found the lyrics as a breach of rules regarding political messages, and did not comply to change them.

Voting History

As of 2016, Georgia's voting history is as follows:

Most points given in the grand finals only
Rank Country Points
1  Armenia 80
2  Ukraine 79
3  Azerbaijan 69
4  Russia 51
5  Lithuania 38
Most points received in the grand finals only
Rank Country Points
1  Armenia 75
2  Lithuania 69
3  Ukraine 51
4  Russia 45
5  Azerbaijan 43
Most points given in the semis and finals
Rank Country Points
1  Ukraine 128
2  Armenia 116
3  Azerbaijan 105
4  Lithuania 90
5  Belarus 71
Most points received in the semis and finals
Rank Country Points
1  Lithuania 147
2  Armenia 127
3  Ukraine 102
4  Belarus 77
5  Azerbaijan 71

Marcel Bezençon Awards

Press Award

Year Song Performer Final Result Points Host city
2013 "Waterfall" Nodi and Sophie 15th 50 Malmö

Commentators and spokespersons

Year(s) Commentator Spokesperson
2007 Sandro Gabisonia and Sopho Altunashvili Neli Agirba
2008 Bibi Kvachadze Tika Patsatsia
2009 No Broadcast Georgia did not participate
2010 Sopho Altunishvili Mariam Vashadze
2011 Sofia Nizharadze
2012 Temo Kvirkvelia Sopho Toroshelidze
2013 Liza Tsiklauri
2014 Lado Tatishvili and Tamuna Museridze Sopho Gelovani and Nodiko Tatishvili
2015 Natia Bunturi
2016 Tuta Chkheidze Nina Sublatti
2017 TBA TBA

Photogallery

See also

References

  1. ↑ West-Soley, Richard (2006-10-27). "Georgia set on 2007". ESCToday. Retrieved 2008-09-04.
  2. ↑ Economou, Thanasis (2008-08-11). "Georgian participation in Eurovision 2009 now questioned". Oikotimes. Retrieved 2008-08-11.
  3. ↑ AFP (2008-08-21). "Georgia ally Estonia could boycott 2009 Eurovision in Moscow". Georgian Daily. Retrieved 2008-08-21.
  4. ↑ "Georgian broadcaster confirms Eurovision boycott". ESCKaz. 2008-08-28. Retrieved 2008-08-28.
  5. ↑ Tongeren, Mario van (2008-08-28). "GPB officially withdraws from Eurovision 2009". Oikotimes. Retrieved 2008-08-28.
  6. ↑ Viniker, Barry (2008-08-28). "Georgia will not participate in Moscow Eurovision". ESCToday. Retrieved 2008-08-28.
  7. ↑ Konstantopoulos, Fotis (2008-12-19). "Georgia: GPB proudly changes decision and enters Eurovision 2009". Oikotimes. Retrieved 2008-12-19.
  8. ↑ Floras, Stella (2008-12-19). "Georgia returns to the Eurovision Song Contest". ESCToday. Retrieved 2008-12-19.
  9. ↑ Brey, Marco (2009-02-18). "Stephane & 3G to represent Georgia in Moscow". EBU. Retrieved 2009-02-18.
  10. ↑ Marcus, Klier (2009-02-18). "Georgia: Stephane & 3G to Eurovision". ESCToday. Retrieved 2009-02-18.
  11. ↑ Fisher, Luke (2009-02-18). "Stephane & 3G wins Georgian national final; listen to the song". Oikotimes. Retrieved 2009-02-18.
  12. ↑ Lewis, Daniel (2009-03-10). "Georgian Eurovision entry sparks news frenzy". ESCToday. Retrieved 2009-03-10.
  13. ↑ "Putin jibe picked for Eurovision". BBC. 2009-02-19. Retrieved 2009-03-10.
  14. ↑ Bakker, Sietse (2009-03-10). "Georgian song lyrics do not comply with Rules". EBU. Retrieved 2009-03-10.
  15. ↑ Viniker, Barry (2009-03-10). "EBU rejects Georgia Eurovision entry". ESCToday. Retrieved 2009-03-10.
  16. ↑ "Georgia drops out of Eurovision over Putin song". 2009-03-11. Retrieved 2009-03-11.
  17. ↑ Hondal, Victor (2010-01-16). "Sopho Nizharadze to represent Georgia in Oslo". ESCToday. Retrieved 2010-01-16.
  18. ↑ Marco, Brey (2010-01-16). "Sopho Nizharadze to represent Georgia in Oslo!". EBU. Retrieved 2010-01-16.
  19. ↑ Grillhofer, Florian (2010-02-27). "Sofia to sing Shine at the Eurovision Song Contest". ESCToday. Retrieved 27 February 2010.
  20. ↑ Brey, Marco (2010-02-27). "Sofia Nizharadze to sing "Shine" in Oslo!". European Broadcasting Union. Retrieved 27 February 2010.

External links

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